| [GMCnet] cell phone booster [message #75005] |
Fri, 26 February 2010 10:37  |
paul h cashman
Messages: 176
Registered: May 2005
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Hi All,
Has anyone tried the Wilson , Signal Boost Traveling Kit,
Code 811210A ? ,for $179.95.
It has a Ultra Slim Universal Antenna that attaches to any Cell Phone or
Aircard,with long Cable.
Thanks.
Paul Cashman
Riverdale Ga
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Paul H Cashman
Riverdale Ga
1978 Transmode
1975 Corvette
1978 Beetle Convertible
1989 Harley Davidson Sportster
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| Re: [GMCnet] cell phone booster [message #75009 is a reply to message #75005] |
Fri, 26 February 2010 11:12  |
idrob
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| paul h cashman wrote on Fri, 26 February 2010 08:37 |
Hi All,
Has anyone tried the Wilson , Signal Boost Traveling Kit,
Code 811210A ? ,for $179.95.
It has a Ultra Slim Universal Antenna that attaches to any Cell Phone or
Aircard,with long Cable.
Thanks.
Paul Cashman
Riverdale Ga
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Paul: Dan Gregg and I both have had experience with cell phone boosters and antennas. This is mine: An external antenna is a big help, but your phone must have an external antenna jack, and you must have the right adaptor cable for it. For a couple of years I have used a Wilson magnetic base antenna with mine, and it does help in remote areas, and may help on dropouts in other areas. The main problem with the small magnetic base antenna is the thin cable that has a high loss, so a lot of the antenna gain is lost in the cable. The next thing is a better quality Wilson antenna, with a better RG 58 cable. The Trucker and RV series that Wilson has works great, but are much larger than the little magnetic ones.
I have a Wilson dual band cell amplifier too, but only occasionally have found it made any difference in my reception. A few places it has made reception possible, but not very many. I think the main thing it can do is to overcome losses in cable from the antenna to the phone or 3G USB air card I use for Net service. Dan runs his most of the time in his GMC while traveling, but he has longer cable runs than I have. He did not run it at Quartzite he said, because of the relatively high 12 volt power demands it has. I have measured them at about 1.5 amps.
So, my recommendation would be to try the 12" magnetic based Wilson antenna first, along with a cord that fits the antenna on your phone or 3G card. If your phone has no antenna input, you would have to have Wilson's amp and adaptor system for phones without inputs. The amp is needed for those I believe.
My experience with all antennas and boosters for two way reception like a phone is that they have value, but it is limited. The Antenna helps out greatly, the amp is mainly to overcome cable losses. This is also true of TV reception, as well as WIFI systems. Spend money first on a good antenna and low loss cable, then on the Amplifiers if necessary.
Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
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| Re: [GMCnet] cell phone booster [message #75027 is a reply to message #75005] |
Fri, 26 February 2010 16:05 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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| paul h cashman wrote on Fri, 26 February 2010 11:37 |
Hi All,
Has anyone tried the Wilson , Signal Boost Traveling Kit, Code 811210A ? ,for $179.95.
It has a Ultra Slim Universal Antenna that attaches to any Cell Phone or Aircard,with long Cable.
Thanks.
Paul Cashman
Riverdale Ga
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Paul,
This looks like part of what I have installed in my coach over two years ago.
In September 2008 we were westbound on I-40 from Amarillo and I was able to work EVDO to the last tower for about 65 miles before the data rate went bad. In local operation, I can not get out of cell phone range if I try. The coverage is pretty good here now, but it was not so good when I installed the repeater.
This is actually not a booster, but a repeater (and I will get to the difference down the page).
I could not find 811210A, it may just be a packaging version.) The slim antenna is a substitute physical antenna connection on the phone. The package on the Wilson site (811210) does not contain the antenna that should get mounted outside (add 20~40$).
The Wilson Trucker (301101) sure is neat looking (I have one to get attention - different story) but it does not get you much more that any other antenna as the antenna gain is limited by the cell manufactures agreement.
If you currently go places that cell coverage is marginal, this will probably fix it. Look at coverage maps before you lay out the cash. If there is No Signal at all, it still won't work.
The difference between a repeater and a booster is that a repeater does not connect directly to the electronics, but a booster requires a hardware antenna connection. There are other differences that I will not explain just now.
So, if I can answer a specific question, try me.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: [GMCnet] cell phone booster [message #75072 is a reply to message #75006] |
Sat, 27 February 2010 11:07 |
paul h cashman
Messages: 176
Registered: May 2005
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Hi Dan,I just saw your post on the Birdfeeder,it wasnt on the Email List.
No I wont be going to Montgomery.
I saw that Wilson unit and thought it would be ideal for me .I could easily remove it ,from my GMC and pit in in the my Bug tow car.
..........................Later Paul
Paul H Cashman
Riverdale Ga
1978 Transmode
1975 Corvette
1978 Beetle Convertible
1989 Harley Davidson Sportster
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| Re: [GMCnet] cell phone booster [message #75075 is a reply to message #75027] |
Sat, 27 February 2010 11:28 |
paul h cashman
Messages: 176
Registered: May 2005
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Hi Matt,
Thanks for the information.
I just read your reply to my Question about the Wilson Signalboost Traveling Kit.
I have a Trac Phone as a Cell Phone .I bought it to use as an Emergency Phone in my Vehicles.It s Output Power is probably only 250mw .The Wilson is 3w.
I was just trying to make my Emergency Phone more reliable now that I'm traveling in my GMC.
....................................Paul
Paul H Cashman
Riverdale Ga
1978 Transmode
1975 Corvette
1978 Beetle Convertible
1989 Harley Davidson Sportster
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| Re: [GMCnet] cell phone booster [message #75137 is a reply to message #75075] |
Sun, 28 February 2010 08:28 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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| paul h cashman wrote on Sat, 27 February 2010 12:28 |
Hi Matt,
Thanks for the information.
I just read your reply to my Question about the Wilson Signalboost Traveling Kit.
I have a Trac Phone as a Cell Phone. I bought it to use as an Emergency Phone in my Vehicles. Its Output Power is probably only 250mw. The Wilson is 3w.
I was just trying to make my Emergency Phone more reliable now that I'm traveling in my GMC.
....................................Paul
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Paul,
It will do that.
Yes, that Wilson amp is a 38dB boost in both directions (if you can't hear it you can't work it).
If you don't expect to need it underway, get a magbase antenna that you can stick on something. Most of the refrigerator vents are steel.
Wilson is a good supplier, I have actually been doing business with them for a while and have never been disappointed.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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